a few days ago, LG was discovered Automatically install adware through their monitors when connected to a Windows PC, resulting in pop-ups from applications like McAfee appearing on the screen that users are forced to dismiss. Naturally, this has caused outrage online and seems to have even caught the attention of Microsoft.
Now, Microsoft has confirmed that it has intervened and contacted LG to see what can be done to stop this. Windows boss Pavan Davuluri says LG has agreed to prevent McAfee from appearing in pop-ups on its LG monitor.
“We have connected with the LG team and as an immediate next step, they have agreed to disable the McAfee pop-up in their app.” Davuluri said in a post on X. “We appreciate LG working with us toward the shared goal of a better experience for our mutual customers.”
It’s good to see Microsoft stepping up to help here, as OEMs often get away with crude practices in their hardware. Many Windows PCs come with adware and bloatware out of the box, and Microsoft has done little in the past to reduce this.
With the company reaching out to LG directly, it’s clear that Microsoft thought LG’s practices here went a step too far and is eager to improve the overall health of the Windows ecosystem by ensuring that OEMs are reducing the amount of bloatware and adware that appears on third-party hardware.
PSA: DO NOT buy an LG monitor, it automatically downloaded an app that shows me popups for its own apps and McAfee. This can’t be legal😭 pic.twitter.com/ETu7mYxp9QJuly 17, 2026
McAfee is one of the most pre-installed OEM bloatware applications you can find. Almost all major Windows OEM hardware will include a free trial of McAfee, along with other demo or trial applications such as Dropbox, microsoft officeand more.
Unlike real PC hardware, LG adware is installed via a monitor application that is automatically downloaded to a Windows PC when you connect an LG monitor to it. The app is designed to let you control the monitor’s features and settings, but includes a pop-up that previously displayed ads for things like McAfee.
It’s unclear if LG plans to stop showing ads there permanently, if only temporarily until the outrage dies down. Hopefully, this change will be permanent, as most users are not interested in receiving advertising through a pop-up due to the monitor they have chosen to use.
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